Tearis has had a busy day so far. He was tired of surprises and sabotage for one day. He aimed to clear his name and deny any crimes they thought he had committed. Although he had been told this wasn’t an arrest.
Tearis was sitting on a rather plush seat, his hands relaxed. He hadn’t knowingly broken any laws. Not recently, anyways, and playing music for coin without a permit was hardly a crime.
“Let’s cut to the chase. Why am I here?”
“Your father and mother’s wills, along with a proper transfer of assets. As it seems your stepmother was an enchantress trained in poison and curses. She had been pulling the innocent act on us for years. We had however managed to catch her in a lie. Sorry to say this but she got away.” A man with glasses, short gelled black hair, wearing a suit and tie combo, sat across from him with an ajar briefcase.
“Father is dead?” Tearis seemed surprised.
“Yes. According to evidence we discovered that your stepmother had passports faked, and hired a doppelganger to take a ship out of the country. Your father’s corpse was discovered in the basement of your inn. Cause of death unknown but it’s been at least 5 years.”
“I see.” Tearis scowled. No one should have been able to get into the cellar. The young man then recalled that the cellar wasn’t a cellar and sighed. He hadn’t actually known about a basement under the inn.
“Not quite. The only reason you survived seems to be a clause in the will. All your mother’s money would return to the bank in case of sudden death and lack of a legitimate heir. It would not go to any unrecognized family members or distant family members.” The investigator handed over some paperwork.
“So my sister and stepmother weren’t recognized?”
“Due to timing, she isn’t considered a viable heir as paternity hadn’t been determined along with the previous suspicious disappearance of your father. “You will inherit the tavern, their other land holdings, and quite a bit of gold.”
“How much gold?” Tearis asked
The well-dressed man handed over another paper with quite a few digits.
“In gold?” Tearis asked wide-eyed?
“Yes.”
“Is this a loan?”
“No. Your mother was wealthy before her death. But I believe she suspected something off about your father and placed strict rules on when and how you can access it. It’s steadily been growing in a savings account.”
“I see… What’s the catch?” Tearis sighed.
“The catch?”
“Do I need to keep quiet to use the money? Are there assassins to worry about? Will this be taxed?”
“No.”
“Do I need to sign anything?”
“Yes. The contract in front of you.”
“What are you anyway? A lawyer or something else?” Tearis finally asked.
“Jobs I will tell you are as follows, Guard, Investigator, Lawyer. Classes are as follows, Blue Rogue, Extractor, and Inquisitor. Of course, I’m overqualified for some things, but my expertise in finding things hidden made me perfect for putting these pieces together.
“So just a transfer of funds from. One account to another. Along with ownership of the inn and another few holdings.”
Tearis read through the paperwork with a worried smile. Read Between the Lines hadn’t kicked in. Finally, after the third read, Tearis signed.
“One other thing. Your supposed half sister. We could do a magical paternity, given her conception and mother’s actions I’d understand if she was sent to an orphanage far away from here.”
“That would be convenient if not a bit cruel. Say if I needed a building torn down overnight how quickly could I find a crew?” Tearis clasped his hands together
“You’d have to wait till tomorrow. Why?”
“If I have somewhere to sleep then I might as well get some bodyguards and house sitters while I’m away.”
“Do you do commissions for business sir?”
“No. But I have a colleague I can introduce you to, tomorrow morning.”
“I want someone to look into Balamir Holding’s. And my lawyer Job is too low to get anything from such dealings.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“Purchase my guilds building and have it demolished. All assets moved to a new guild hall.”
“Guild halls traditionally have wards upon wards stacked to protect against various magics.”
“But I can upgrade a tavern into a guild hall, yes?”
“It won’t hurt you financially. But why help a small guild.”
“This is an investment in something I intended to stick to. I need a place to keep me grounded.”
“Understood. Any other questions? It’s been a long day.”
“Great. I’ll send some messengers and see you tomorrow morning.”
“Ah right. Is it safe to go home and where is my half sister currently?”
“She was hurt bad…You won’t see her for a few days, at the least. Her bomb did go off once before we knew what was up. The second one was stopped but….”
“I understand the attempt on me. But to harm your own blood. This was not how I wanted my suspicions about my stepmother to be confirmed. But not like this.” Tearis grimaced
“Your stepmother escaped custody and supposedly fled the country. The means of her escape were quite disturbing. Like a cicada molting from its exoskeleton, we found something resembling her body outside the city.”
“Exoskeleton? What kind of creature is she?”
“I’m not sure. Monster identification isn’t my expertise, but I do suspect they are reptilian in nature.” The man warned Tearis.
“I see. Well. See you soon I guess.” Tearis stood and left the guardhouse.
“I don’t doubt that.” The lawyer took a sip of a green tea.
Tearis made his way to the tavern. Unlocked the door with a key and went to sleep. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow. Tearis faded into a dreamless sleep.
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Tearis awoke the following day and sent a message out to the guild master along with a few contractors.
While those people took their sweet time, he brewed a cup of coffee before taking a seat. His class outfit changed for something normal while his cloak was hidden, and a glove covered the rings on his fingers.
Oddly enough, the guild master arrived before the lawyers and contractors. She had a stern expression as she walked into the three-story inn and tavern.
"You said there was an emergency."
"No… I didn't. I said to get here Asap for a matter of great importance."
"What's the difference?"
"Nobody's dying this time but…."
"Ah false alarm then. "
"Wait! Please indulge me for a moment." Tearis requested.
"Five copper a minute for my time then."
"No guild member discount?"
"That is the discount. Clocks ticking."
"Well…I'd like you to relocate the guild. The place is more than capable and we can have the necessary wards by tonight."
"Where?"
"Here preferably. Otherwise I'm sure we can find a suitable building not in the slums."
"Why here?"
"Simply put, I need some people to look after this place and potentially it's one other applicant while I'm away."
"I see… Do you have a contract? You beat the lawyers here."
"So far this is what I have." Tearis pushed forward a sheet of paper.
1. 2% of coin-based profits from jobs go into the Guild.
2. Room and board are provided to trusted members for free. Newer members may pay 25 silver coins a month to stay here.
3. Members staying must be able to defend the two original tenants should the situation arise.
4. The Guild is responsible for cleaning up their own messes. The tenants are not maids; if that means hiring a maid, they may do so from their budget.
5. Fights in the guild hall are limited to the ground floor. Damage to the building comes out of the aggressor's pocket.
"Nothing major I think."
"It's simple, can I agree to it now before fine print is added?"
"You want to agree to this? It doesn't contain details. Or the obvious bribe I was gonna offer as an investment."
"Violet Mage, right? Trusted members must also willingly offer up a skill before staying here. Keeps things open and keeps you from poaching skills from guild members without permission."
"What if I steal a skill from someone and they join the guild afterwards."
"That wouldn't work too well. What makes someone trustworthy?"
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"See? Let's leave it to time and loyalty. But don't tell anyone about the discount unless they sign something promising secrecy."
"Do you still want a skill?" The guild master asked.
"If I take a skill will it make you feel better?"
"Yes actually. Better to give than have one stolen."
"The skill I'm giving you is Armor Training. Should give you a skill that makes armor and shields easier to wear and maneuver in. Most mages can't cast in armor, this makes that possible and can help train vitality and endurance."
"Are you giving me Armor Training?"
"Yes."
"Mind Thief."
Skill stolen: Armor Training.
"Well I have it. But I don't see myself wearing heavy armor."
"You'll thank me when it saves your life."
"I probably will If it helps me survive." Tearis didn't believe his words but decided to go with them.
The lawyers arrived minutes later and began filling out the necessary paperwork. But, unfortunately, by the time negotiations ended, the demolition team had already gone to the old guild hall to tear it down and mostly mess with people, the guild master watching from a rooftop.
"What do you mean you're tearing down the guild hall!" Kon was berating the demolition team.
"Ummm Sir? According to records this building has failed various inspections and isn't up to code. It would be cheaper to tear down and rebuild then try to fix."
"But this is our home! Where will we get the money to rebuild?"
A loud crash happened inside the building as part of the roof collapsed. The demolition team hadn't even started, and it was falling apart.
"What are you doing!"
"That wasn't us…This is a major safety hazard."
"..." Kon didn't say a thing as they evaded a roof tile that almost got their head.
The demolition team soundly took a step back.
"All the items inside have been soundly moved to a new location." Said someone from within the demolitions team.
"New location?" Kon seemed confused and then shocked.
Tearis stepped out of their group with a yellow, hard hat on his head.
Mind Thief: Skills gained, Analyze Structural Integrity, Minor Seismic Sense, and Masonry Training.
"Yup. The guild hall has soundly been moved."
"Where to?"
"My tavern. You can ask the guildmaster for details later. She's waiting on the other 2. Also you have been offered a free room If you so desire you should sign a contract."
"Contract? Wait, did you set this up?"
"This was the guild master's idea. You had maybe a week left before it crumbled completely."
"Ah. And a tavern keeper happened to walk into the guild hall."
"This is not a coincidence. Or some high level scheme. I walked into quite a few guild halls yesterday and got turned away. You accepted me and tried to help save my life."
"... Your charisma is at least 200 points too low to say something like that."
"Right. Follow me, my red hat comrade."
"Nah."
"You're going to go fight bunnies, slimes, and goblins."
"Bunnies…Do I have time to buy gear?"
Kon eyed him suspiciously. "Do you know what you need yet?"
"No."
"Did you fight during your trials?"
"No."
"Then you need to get some battle experience."
"That's… Fair."
"Good. Now follow me." Kon led them through the gate and out of the city. To an open field
Roaming right outside the city, a few rabbits could be seen hopping about. Various people seemingly walked past and or ignored them together. Most of the people he saw get their Classes yesterday also ignored them.
"What are they doing?"
"Rabbits are the weak of the weak. They also give only 2 experience until you reach level 7 and then 1 from that point on."
"And how do I check that?"
"You need at least 1 experience to access that function of your status."
"Great." Tearis slumped.
"Exactly, do you know what I see?"
"Cheap meat that can be sold to a butcher?"
"That and an all you can steal buffet!"
"Wait. I can steal skills from monsters?"
"Yes. Yes you can. Not many figure it out this early. Rabbits, while weak and easy to kill, are filled with a variety of useful skills."
"Alright. So are you going to put them to sleep?"
"No. You are?"
"But I can't use my spells. Don't have the mana."
"You should have a mana bullet spell. That spell almost always costs a small amount of mana. You should be able to control how much you put into it when it ranks up."
"So point and activate?"
"If it helps. Do it."
"Mana bullet!" Tearis pointed at a bunny and watched as nothing happened. The critter fell to the side a second later, unmoving.
"Steal it's skill. Quick!"
"Right! Mind Thief!"
Skill selection Failed. Target has no right skills. Random skill selected.
Skill Stolen: Rabbit virility. Endurance +2, Vitality +2.
"Did you get something good?"
"No. Just got something called rabbit virility."
Kon took a few steps away. "Keep your distance bub."
"Hah. Hah." Tearis said in a monotone.
"Let's move onto another target."
Kon tossed a ball of blue mana into Tearis.
Mana restored.
"What target?"
"Guess your yelling scared away the rabbit population.
The rabbit on the ground, previously paralyzed, shot up and hopped away.
Kon flicked a red dart through the rabbit's neck, killing it quickly as a hole was burned through it.
"Kon!"
"If it got away chances are you'd accidentally try to steal its skill again. Also its meat."
"Right." Tearis sighed.
"Onto the next victim."
"Mmmhmmm."
The duo arrived at a second rabbit, this one quite alert.
"Mana Bullet!"
The magical dart shot out and missed as the alert rabbit dodged the spell and ran away. Almost as if it was lucky.
"Mana bullet. Mana bullet. Mana… Oh, I'm dizzy." The fourth casting failed, and Tearis stumbled forward.
"Out of mana. Better now than never. When trying to catch a target off guard try activating the spell quietly. Get close to the ground and find somewhere to hide and wait for your target to let their guard down."
"So you think skulking around can make catching rabbits easy?"
"Wolves do it and they haven't gone extinct so I bet there is a method for doing so." Kon said smugly.
"Fine…" Tearis got low to the ground and crept forward using the bushes to hide. The pair initially arrived at rabbit number three.
A blue sphere of mana restored him again.
Tearis tried to think of a mana bullet. But nothing happened. So he whispered. "Mana bullet."
When the rabbit froze, Tearis took the opening to cast Mind Thief.
Tearis saw the rabbit's memory. He saw the rabbit barely escape the clutches of wolves. He saw that same rabbit evade the sight of countless adventures. Running away from any combat, it entered immediately. A boulder once fell from the sky and crushed an adventurer trying to kill it.
Skill Stolen: Golden Rabbits Luck: Luck has increased by 5.
"What was that?"
Kon eyed Tearis curiously. "What was what?"
Tearis walked over and picked up the creature. "I saw its memories. I also got the skill "Golden Rabbits Luck."
"Tearis. Kill that rabbit right now."
"What?"
"It's worth 200 experience. Enough to level up."
"Oh right." Tearis drew his dagger and plunged it into the critter's neck.
Class, Violet Mage, has hit level 2.
Skill gained, Skill Breakdown.
"What now?"
"Your total level is now 7 so hunting rabbits will now solely be for skills. Although we should get this one to an accessory maker. Golden Rabbits are exceptionally lucky but don't look any different than normal rabbits. Their meat is a delicacy and their feet are worth some coin."
"But I have enough coins already."
"Trust fund money isn't hard earned money. It will feel different if you earn it yourself."
"How do you wanna split it?"
"You get everything. It was your kill after all."
"This seems too good to be true."
"Fine. I'll take 20% for providing the mana."
The duo re-entered the city, and Tearis found a drunk man with a wide hat sleeping on a bench.
Looking around, he saw no one outside of Kon looking at him.
"Not worth the risk. This one is a trap." Kon pointed to a roof forward and to the left.
Tearis followed the pointing and found two figures standing on the roof.
"I see." Tearis looked at the drunk man and sighed.
"Yup. It's clearly fishy." Tearis followed Kon into an odd shop. The place had swords, sandals, hats, accessories, trinkets, and sandwiches.
"What type of place is this?"
"Doorstore. The adventurer's one stop shop for items any adventure needs."
"And we can sell here?" Tearis looked around, his eyes landing on a bespectacled old man.
"Yes. Now go on give the old man the rabbit."
Tearis placed the bloody rabbit on the table in front of the man.
"Do you have skinning or field dressing skills?
"No."
"Great Job coming here then. I'll give you 2 gold, a contracted familiar summoning card and the Field Dressing skill."
"How do you know what my Class is?"
"Contractors make deals. Sometimes with people, sometimes with monsters. You need a familiar. Unless…"
Tearis looked to Kon. "The rabbit is worth fifty gold. If removed properly the feet alone are two hundred as they are decent magic materials. The rest of it is just shiny or delicious."
Tearis looked at the normal-looking rabbit. "Are you trying to cheat me?"
"Yes. But you don't need the gold. You need skills. I'll throw in a mana training skill as well."
"I can't steal two skills."
"My Lavender eyed customer. Skills can be learned from gems. Albeit they are much harder to find and use than stealing."
"I see…Deal then."
"Nadir the universal merchant agrees with this trade."
The rabbit vanished and reappeared on the other side of the table. A black card with red outlines appeared before Tearis, along with 2 orbs and 2 golden coins.
"What do I do with the gems?" Tearis asked Kon.
"Place it next to your head and use Mind Thief."
"Alright." Tearis placed the orb next to his head and whispered the spell.
"Skill Learned: Field Dressing."
The orb stayed perfectly fine in his hands. "What now?"
"You either keep the orb to store a skill or return it."
"I'll hold onto it for now." Tearis put the empty orb in his bag.
"Do the other one later." Kon stated.
"Right. Do we need to do anything else?"
"No. But you should probably lead me back to the tavern, oh receptionist."
"You do know I'm going to be gone when the semester starts. Right?"
"Of course I know that. Doesn't change anything really."
"Why?"
"Because I'll still be looking after you. Got a whole two years of experience on you after all."
"Your a third year?"
"Do I look that old?" Kon took a step back.
"Can't really tell. Your red hat and cloak hide most of you. Don't think I've seen most of your face either."
"Ah right. You'll figure it out soon so let's keep it a simple a little while longer."
"I take it you don't want a room then."
"Correct. I-I have a place to stay. I'll go now actually." Kon ran off.
Moments later, a figure approached Tearis from the front. They were rather average in height and appearance, with short brown hair. His expression was blank as he looked at Tearis for a long while.
"Did you see someone wearing all red come by here?"
"Why do you ask? Red is a common door to get after all."
"Ahh. Doesn't matter much. Just thought I saw someone familiar."
"I see. Well I have some people to check on in the hospital. People who do matter to me. Buh bye." Tearis did not play those games with strangers.
"Ah wait!"
Tearis didn't slow or turn his head as he did, in fact, make his way to the hospital. Upon check-in, he was told to wait a few minutes for them to confirm his identity and check to see if the people he came to see could have visitors.
While waiting, Tearis used his second orb before he decided to read all his skills.
Skill Gained: Amethyst Mana Training.
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Mana Bullet(Rank 1): Deals mana or mind damage based on your magical attack. When this skill reduces one’s mana to zero, they are stunned for up to 5N seconds.
Mind Thief(Rank 1): You force your consciousness into the mind of either an unaware or willing target and potentially steal a skill. You may only ever steal a skill from a target once. If they are willing, then they choose what skill you obtain. If the target is unaware, you may name a skill; if they have it, you learn it. If not, a random skill is chosen. The target does not lose any ranks of the talent, nor do they lose access to it. This spell costs 100% of your mana. You may have up to 10 stolen skills active at once.
Skill Breakdown(Rank 1): When you gain a repeat skill, discard it and throw it into ranking up the skill or adding it to the skill compendium.
Devil’s Bargain(Rank 1): When you make an agreement with someone, you may increase its power by setting a price to be paid to either you or another entity.
Devil’s Cunning(Rank 1): Luck and Charisma now impact your mana.
Read Between the lines(Rank 2 ): You have a sixth sense for detecting hidden meanings in written words or actions. This skill activates passively and uses your magical defense stat to scale.
Song of energy(Rank 2): You play a song that restores mana to all allies within 60 feet. Cost 20 Mana.
Song of Haste(Rank 2): All allies within 30 feet gain an increase in speed.Cost 20 Mana.
Song of Dreams(Rank 2): Foes listening to this song may fall into a deep slumber. This skill is resisted by the mind. Rank makes the ability stronger. Cost 16 mana.
(MT)Seismic Sense(Rank 1): Reactive: When the earth moves underneath you, you are allerted. Alerting you to attacks or natural disasters occurring under your feet.
(MT) Golden Rabbits Luck(Rank 1): Luck has increased by 5.
(MT)Rabbit Virility(Rank 1): Endurance +2 Vitality +2. Female rabbit or rabbit-like creatures may unconsciously seek you out.
(MT)Analyze Structural Integrity(Rank 1): When observing a structure, you understand how long it can last in its current state. You also begin to see weak points in some buildings.
(MT)Masonry Training(Rank 1): You gain skills ranks faster for features used when maintaining or building a structure.
(MT)Armor Training(Rank 1): You gain skill ranks faster for armor or shield-based skills. Armor and shield-based skills and abilities are 5N% more effective. The armor is 5N% lighter.
(MT)Self Analysis(Rank 1): Self Analysis feature added.
Amethyst Mana Training(Rank 1): When your mana is at its maximum, you may forcibly increase it by taking in excess mana and boiling it. After thirty minutes of boiling, you must stop and let it cool down. What remains after it cools will be a small gem. Repeating the exercise will slowly increase its size and change the quality of your mana,
Lie(Rank 3): Your lies are naturally 15% believable.
Performance(Rank 4): Your musical ability is 20% better.
Field Dressing(Rank 1): You now know how to get the most out of your hunting and are more effective at harvesting parts.
Toxicology(Rank 1): You know your poisons and venoms better than some. You can detect poisonous or venomous plants, creatures, or toxins within 5 feet of you. Range increases with skill rank. Rank is increased by coming into contact with more poisons.
Lesser PsychicResistance(Rank 1): Psychic and mental effects are 5% less effective.
Lesser Poison Resistance(Rank 1): Poison and venom are 10% less effective.
Resurrection: Locked. Insufficient prerequisites.
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“That is a lot of skills… I doubt I can master even half of these. I could pretend to be another Class If I wanted.” Which made him wonder. If Violet mages are as powerful as he expected. Why hadn’t he heard of them prior?
“Tearis Malvaris?” A nurse called aloud.
Tearis stood and gulped unconsciously. “Yes?”
“Your sister is ready to see you.”
“Ah. Right.” Tearis paled as he struggled to justify the interrogation he had come here planning to bring up.